Table of Contents
Welcome to Fusion: Page 4
A Word from Your Head of School: Page 5
Our Mission: Page 5
Equal Opportunity: Page 5
Schoolwide Learner Outcomes: Page 6
IROC Goals: Page 7
Faculty & Administration: Page 7
Lead Teacher: Page 8
Grading Scale: Page 8
Policy of Awarding Credit: Page 8
Homework Café®: Page 9
Our Mastery Learning Model: Page 10
Extended Homework Café®: Page 11
Assessments: Page 11
AP® Testing: Page 12
Post-Secondary Counseling: Page 12
Adult Learners: Page 13
School Calendar: Page 13
Absences and Tardiness: Page 14
Plagiarism: Page 15
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Page 16
Weather-Related School Closings, Delays, Early Dismissals: Page 16
Virtual Learning: Page 17
School Supplies and Electronics: Page 17
Transcripts: Page 18
Student Social Life: Page 18
Community Action Program: Page 19
Parent Involvement: Page 19
Parent Communication: Page 19
Property Management Rules: Page 20
Food: Page 20
Medication: Page 20
Dress Code: Page 20
Safety: Page 21
Visitor Policy: Page 21
Fusion Academy House Rules: Page 22
Bullying, Cyberbullying, Hazing, Harrassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Boundary Violations: Page 23
Appendix A: Illinois: Page 32
Appendix B: Massachusetts: Page 33
Appendix C: Tennessee: Page 36
Parent and Student Handbook Acknowledgment: Page 39
Fusion Academy Handbook
©2015 Fusion Learning Inc., a proud partner of Fusion Education Group Revised August 28, 2024.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any format, including electronic, without express written permission from Fusion Learning, Inc. fusionacademy.com
Welcome to Fusion!
We are so excited to welcome you as part of our Fusion Family!
In a Fusion classroom, the educational experience is customized to support engagement and ignite a passion for learning. Classes are self-paced, and teachers strive to present course material in ways that suit students’ individual interests, strengths, and challenges. Due to the nature of Fusion’s unique educational delivery model, we believe we are better able to meet the needs of diverse students in grades 6-12 than traditional schools.
Fusion admits a wide range of students who are seeking a personalized approach to their education. We intentionally avoid setting specific enrollment criteria and instead work with parents and students to determine, through interviews and review of various documents and experiences, whether a student is likely to thrive in our unique environment.
In this handbook, you will learn more about Fusion, how it’s structured, who to go to with any issues, and what is expected during your time here. Of course, it does not cover everything you need to know, and it is not intended to create any contractual rights or obligations, but you’ll be off to a great start if you spend some time understanding the most important aspects of your school.
Please take some time to read through this handbook. It covers important rules, policies, and procedures and will help you become more familiar with your school. As with any printed informational material, this handbook may be revised from time to time. Our parent and student meetings and other updates also provide a steady stream of information to keep you informed of any changes at Fusion, including new programs and procedures.
A Word from Your Head of School
The following pages include many formal-sounding details about the rules and expectations here at Fusion. These things are important, but they aren’t the whole of Fusion. We think of the students, teachers, and staff of Fusion as a family. We emphasize treating each other with respect because we care about each other, and because doing so will help make Fusion a safe and even fun (gasp!) place to be. A good rule of thumb is simply to treat others the way you would like to be treated. This way, Fusion will remain a uniquely wonderful place in which to learn and to be you. We’re so happy you’re part of the Fusion Family!
Our Mission
Guided by a fundamental belief in the immense potential within every person, our mission is to help each Fusion student flourish- emotionally, socially, and academically- through positive mentoring relationships and a personalized education experience.
Our Purpose at Fusion is SimpleFusion is a revolutionary private middle and high school that meets students where they are through positive relationships and personalized learning solutions. We strive to unlock academic potential and create opportunities for emotional and social growth through the power of positive relationships.
The student-teacher ratio in almost all Fusion classes is one teacher to one student (1:1). In a Fusion one-to-one classroom, the educational experience is customized to ignite a student’s passion for learning. Classes are self-paced, and teachers strive to present course material in ways that suit students’ individual interests, strengths, and challenges.
Equal Opportunity
It is Fusion’s policy to provide an equal educational opportunity in its programs and activities, without discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, gender, gender orientation, sexual orientation, disability, or other legally protected characteristics. Fusion also prohibits
harassment and bullying based on any of these characteristics by students, faculty members, administrators, and other members of the Fusion community.
If a student or parent witnesses or is subjected to discrimination or harassment prohibited by this policy, please contact an administrator immediately. Fusion will take prompt and appropriate action in response and will not permit retaliation for any good-faith complaints.
Schoolwide Learner Outcomes
Resourceful:
• I discover my own resources and information to contribute to class discussions.
• I apply concepts that I have learned to new situations.
• I examine commonly-held beliefs and make my own evidencebased decisions.
• I am solutions-focused when personal or social challenges arise.
• I connect with peers who are similar and different than me to build more perspective.
• I explore my creativity in a variety of ways.
• I pursue opportunities that are unique to my interests.
Critical Thinker:
• I demonstrate curiosity and ask meaningful questions.
• I identify themes, patterns, and connections between what I’m learning in class, and how the information is relevant to my life.
• I analyze information and differentiate between accurate and misleading information.
• I express my ideas orally, creatively, and through writing.
• I engage in conversations about what is going on in the world and demonstrate an appreciation for others’ experiences.
• I anticipate cause and effect, natural consequences, and their impact on myself and others.
• I demonstrate interest and am thoughtful about the beliefs and perspectives of others.
Self-Aware:
• I am aware of my own thinking and how my learning works and make helpful decisions for myself.
• I am an active participant in my own learning and advocate for myself.
• I manage my time and am accountable for my responsibilities.
• I set goals and monitor my progress.
• I am aware of my strengths and challenges and make helpful decisions for myself.
• I reflect on how my emotions, thoughts, and actions affect mine and others’ experiences, and I’m open to feedback.
• I practice gratitude and a growth mindset to improve my resilience.
• I use coping skills when my emotions feel difficult to manage and ask for what I need.
Inclusive:
• I adapt my communication to be effective for a variety of audiences.
• I demonstrate cultural sensitivity, awareness, and responsiveness in my behavior and communication.
• I recognize historical inequalities and promote equitable practices in my school and community.
• I am aware of opportunities for personal and community action that inspire positive change.
• I reflect upon my biases and prejudices and seek to overcome them.
• I practice active listening and exhibit compassion towards others.
• I create belonging within my community for myself & others.
IROC Goals
Students begin each year by creating goals for themselves that align with our Schoolwide Learner Outcomes: resourceful, creative thinker, self-aware, and inclusive. Throughout the year, students are supported by their Lead Teacher as they reflect on these goals and demonstrate their progress. Additionally, each team of teachers actively addresses goals with their students to create multiple opportunities for application and to strengthen student growth.
Faculty & Administration
At Fusion, we are passionate about finding the very best teachers who will meet the unique needs of our Fusion students. Therefore, we want you to know a little about our teachers.
In order to join our teaching team, all teachers must possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and experience. Fusion selects teachers who we believe have the ability to provide a student-centered, supportive, one-to-one classroom. We look for teachers that are committing to developing strong mentoring relationships with their students.
Lead Teacher
Full-time students are assigned a Lead Teacher, who acts as an advocate for the student. They watch out for their student’s best interests, help hold the student accountable, communicate when interventions may be needed, and can serve as a liaison between guardians and the school.
Grading Scale
Fusion employs a standard 4.0 grading scale for all CollegePreparatory and Essential level courses. Honors-level courses are graded on a 5.0 scale for all Fusion Academy campuses except for Fusion Global Academy. Fusion Global Academy grades Honors-level courses on a 4.5 scale and AP-level courses on a 5.0 scale.
Policy of Awarding Credit
Policy of Awarding Credit
Fusion awards credit towards high school graduation for classes in five curriculum levels— AP®, Honors, College Prep, Essential, and One Level. Honors/College Prep/Essential curriculum levels are available for most core academic courses and One-Level curriculum is offered for most Fusion-specific courses, electives, and PE/Health courses. Fusion’s essential-level core academic courses may not fulfill admissions requirements at some universities. Credits are only awarded to students who enroll in classes for credit; students receiving hourly tutoring are not awarded with class credits. Class credits will only be awarded upon successful completion of coursework, and not necessarily at the end of any particular semester or school year. AP® courses are only available through partnership with Fusion Global Academy (FGA). Students who complete AP® courses with FGA will have courses listed on their transcript as originating from FGA.
Partial Credit
Fusion Academy offers partial credit to students under specific circumstances.
• If a student is admitted to Fusion and has completed a portion of a course at a prior school, Fusion may offer the second part of the course and issue partial credit.
• If a student withdraws from Fusion prior to completing a full semester of a course, Fusion may offer partial credit. This is dependent on several factors including attendance, work completion, and content mastery. Note that issuing partial credit may not be appropriate in every situation, and the decision on whether or not to award partial credit will be made by campus administration and Fusion’s Education Department.
Definition of a Unit of Credit
Fusion Academy reserves the right to determine credit earned per course in accordance with the Fusion Academy Course Catalog, though most classes earn five credits per course, per term.
Requirements for 2nd Semester Senior to Earn a Fusion Diploma
Students who enroll with Fusion in the 2nd semester of their graduating Senior year must be enrolled “full-time” at Fusion if they wish to earn a Fusion Diploma. Full-time status is defined as enrollment and participation in a minimum of 20 core course credits during the semester preceding graduation, regardless of total credits accumulated prior to the final semester. Based on a student’s status as “full-time”, Fusion Academy will also be the student’s school of record. The student may not be concurrently enrolled at another school that is also considered their “school of record”.
All students who earn a Fusion High School Diploma must meet Fusion graduation requirements including Fusion specific courses and the state requirements of a minimum of 230 credits (exceptions are: 240 credits in Washington and 220 credits in Texas).
Homework Café®
The Homework Café (HC) acts as the campus hub for our school community. In the HC, students socialize, complete independent work assigned by teachers, connect, play games, engage in clubs, and participate in other school activities. The Homework Café is built into a student’s schedule with specific time slots indicating when students should be in the space. During these times, Homework Café staff provide social-emotional guidance while supporting work completion.
It’s important to note that the HC is required for all full-time Fusion students and is not a dedicated space for one-to-one tutoring.
Our Mastery Learning Model
Mastery learning is an instructional method based on the idea that all students can learn if they are provided with the appropriate learning conditions. In practice, mastery learning is a method where students do not advance to a subsequent learning objective until they demonstrate proficiency in the current one. Our model for building mastery requires a learning community which includes students, parents/guardians, teachers, and the campus leadership team. Active participation in the learning process is essential for student success.
Completing a Course Early
Our mastery learning model means that we can emphasize slowing down and picking up speed with equal attention as appropriate for each student. Students may have the opportunity to finish a course early based on minimum attendance requirements and completion of all outcomes. Minimum requirements for completing a course early are defined as:
• 20 session course | minimum 18 sessions attended and all required evidence of learning met
• 25 session course | minimum 20 sessions attended and all required evidence of learning met
• 30 session course | minimum 25 sessions attended and all required evidence of learning met
Additional Mastery Sessions
Students may also be assigned Additional Mastery Sessions to complete course objectives and to receive full credit. Additional Mastery Sessions are based on several criteria including but not limited to course pacing, content level, formative assessments, and student absences. Each session that needs to extend beyond the length of a contracted course is an additional cost. Parents and/or guardians will be notified in advance when a student needs Additional Mastery Sessions.
Extended Homework Café®
Extended Homework Café is additional time scheduled in the Homework Café for students who need more time to complete their independent work or other assignments. This time is intended to provide support for students who have fallen behind in their independent work or need additional time to complete assignments. Extended Homework Café is pre-arranged with your campus team and does not include an assigned one-to-one instructor. It’s important for parents/guardians to partner with the school team to support extended learning time in order to reduce the need for course-specific Additional Mastery Sessions. If a student continues to struggle with completing independent assignments after attending Extened Homework Café, we may recommend supportive 1:1 tutoring and mentoring sessions.
Assessments
Teachers regularly assess their students so that they know exactly what standards their students have mastered and specifically pinpoint any gaps in learning. At Fusion, every aspect of our academic model leads to a depth of individual learning. We use one-to-one teaching, daily charting, extensive communication between teachers and parents, and customized checks for understanding to support each student’s individualized journey. Upon enrollment of full-time students, we administer two separate assessments to each student. It should be noted that these are not “pass or fail” assessments. The assessments provide key insights for the teachers to best support students where they are and to build upon knowledge. Both assessments are computerized and generate adaptive questions. Therefore, we encourage parents to provide any previously determined testing accommodations (if applicable) to the school in advance so that we can create an optimal assessment environment.
Mindprint
This assessment provides an overview of students’ cognitive strengths and challenges. Mindprint was designed with teaching in mind and offers educators strategies and resources customized to each student’s results, to support teachers in adjusting how they teach to best meet students’ learning styles and needs.
Measurement of Academic Performance (MAP®)
MAP Growth is the most trusted and innovative assessment for measuring achievement and growth in math and reading. All students complete the computer-adaptive assessment upon enrollment and in the Spring of subsequent school years. MAP enables us to pinpoint what a student is ready to learn, regardless of how far above or below they are from their grade level. We use this data when placing students into course levels and customizing instruction to target each student’s academic strengths and areas of development.
AP® Testing
Fusion Global Academy does not offer an official testing site for AP® testing. Should a student choose to take an AP® test, the parent/ guardian is responsible for finding a testing location and signing up their student for the appropriate AP® test. Fusion Academy does have limited testing sites in California. If your student is interested in taking AP® test onsite in California, please notify your Head of School right away.
Post-Secondary Counseling
Full-Time students at Fusion Academy are eligible for one complimentary 30-minute consultation with a virtual Fusion PostSecondary Counselor (PSC) each year. This virtual consultation typically involves both the student and parent. During the consultation the PSC will review transcripts and academic history, discuss the student’s post-secondary plans, and provide insights and recommendations to support each student on their personalized path to graduation and beyond.
Our PSCs are a team of college and career readiness experts committed to supporting you in building and working through a strategic plan for your goals after graduation. This process requires active participation from students in order to meet important deadlines. Colleges, universities, and specialized programs consider numerous factors when deciding whether to approve an application for enrollment. Admission into any college, university, or other post-secondary program is heavily dependent on the student’s history, profile, and performance and is never guaranteed.
Adult Learners
Fusion Academy welcomes all middle and high school students. Those seeking a high school diploma may do so until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22 years of age. Fusion provides the following guidelines for course enrollment and attendance:
• High school students seeking a Fusion diploma may be enrolled prior to their 21st birthday. All students must complete their Fusion high school diploma by the end of the school year following their 22nd birthday.
• Students who are between the ages of 18 – 19 years old, and in pursuit of a high school diploma from Fusion or another accredited high school, may attend tutoring or class sessions in person but will be scheduled during “off-peak hours”, which may include early morning or late afternoon/evening sessions.
• Students who are 20+ years old and seeking a Fusion high school diploma will only be provided the option to take classes virtually.
• Students age 18 years or older, who are not seeking a high school diploma, may only enroll in tutoring or Class for Credit virtually.
School Calendar
At Fusion, campuses operate year-round and classes begin and end at different times of the day and year. Each student has their own unique daily schedule. Even if all classes for your child begin on the same day, because of our Mastery Learning Model, different course lengths, etc., not all classes may end on the same day.
Parents and students should review the student’s schedule to ensure that they know when the student’s first day of class begins and when the last day of the class is scheduled, though the last day of class may be delayed if Mastery Learning Sessions are required.
Please review your campus’ school calendar and do not assume that Fusion has the same school calendar or holiday schedule as local school districts. If Fusion is closed for a specific holiday, break, or teacher workday, families will be notified beforehand through the school calendar and/or other forms of communication.
Fusion is typically closed on Thanksgiving weekend, during the Winter Holidays, and for Spring Break. Please refer to your particular Fusion Academy campus calendar for exact dates and to see which other days we are closed. A copy of the school calendar may be obtained from the campus administrative team or viewed on our campus website.
Please note that in specific circumstances, one or more of a student’s courses could follow a different school calendar, resulting in different Spring Breaks.
• AP® Courses taught through Fusion Global Academy will follow the Fusion Global Academy Spring Break.
• Virtual group learning will follow the spring break of the teacher’s campus, as the group may consist of students from multiple campuses across the nation.
If your student is enrolled in either an AP® Course through Fusion Global Academy or a virtual group course, please discuss this with your Director of Student Services (DSS) to understand how it may impact their schedule.
Absences and Tardiness
Student Absences and Mastery Sessions
Each course at Fusion is pre-scheduled, and students must attend a minimum number of required class sessions to complete each course. Regular session attendance is crucial to ensure that each student completes their courses and masters course content.
Absences may only be excused for three reasons, and your campus administrative team must be notified of these planned absences at least two weeks in advance to excuse the absence and reschedule sessions:
• Religious holidays
• Fusion-sponsored events such as field trips or college tours
• PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP® exams, or other non-negotiable national or state testing dates
If any student misses any session(s) for any reason, those sessions
are still counted as part of the total number of pre-scheduled course sessions; there are no exceptions. If a student is unexpectedly ill or plans to miss future class sessions, it is important that a parent or guardian notifies Fusion by phone as soon as possible to alert teachers of the absence. Students may not call, text, or email to cancel a session for any reason. There are no exceptions.
Absences or excessive tardiness can impact a student’s pace of learning and may lead to required Mastery Learning Sessions to meet the learning objectives of the course. Mastery Learning Sessions are added to the student’s class schedule after the last contracted session has been completed and are billed separately at an additional cost As Mastery Learning Sessions are added on an as-needed basis after the last contracted session, consistent class session time cannot be guaranteed.
Please review your Enrollment Contract for more detail regarding our Mastery Learning Session and absence policies.
Teacher Absences
On occasion, a teacher may not be able to attend class. On such days, our goal will be to find a substitute teacher to meet with the student while they are on campus, either in person or virtually. However, if one cannot be found, the session will be canceled and rescheduled for a future date at no cost to you.
Plagiarism
Plagiarized work is the use of another’s work, words, or ideas without proper attribution. Students who turn in plagiarized work will not receive credit for the assignment. In order to receive credit, students will be required to complete authentic work and provide citations for sources referenced. Maintaining academic integrity is crucial, and any attempt to deceive or submit unoriginal work will not be accepted. The response to plagiarism will be constructive and personalized to each student, as determined by the campus. Should plagiarism persist as a recurrent issue, it may result in more serious consequences.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI technology can be a valuable tool for enhancing the learning experience, such as with research, writing, creativity, and general academic support. Students can access vast amounts of information, generate ideas, and develop critical thinking skills using AI. However, alongside its benefits, AI also presents challenges with academic integrity, particularly in the context of plagiarism. Plagiarized work is the use of another’s work, words, or ideas without proper attribution, including AI assisted work.
Students who turn in plagiarized work will not receive credit for the assignment. In order to receive credit, students will be required to complete authentic work and provide citations for sources referenced. Students are expected to engage in transparent communication with teachers if they plan to use AI tools, ensuring that teachers can provide guidance and assess the authenticity of the work produced.
Maintaining academic integrity is crucial, and any attempt to deceive or submit unoriginal work that is generated by AI without proper attribution, will not be accepted. The response to plagiarism will be constructive and personalized to each student, as determined by the campus. Should plagiarism persist as a recurrent issue, it may result in more serious consequences.
Weather-Related School Closings, Delayed Starts, and Early Dismissals
In the event of severe weather, Fusion Academy may decide to close school, delay the start of school, release students early, or switch to virtual learning (as state or local regulations permit). Once a decision is made, Fusion will notify families as soon as possible. If Fusion decides to close school, delay the start of school, or release students early, any classes missed will be rescheduled at no cost to you. If Fusion switches to virtual learning and a student has any challenges with internet connectivity, please let your campus administrative team know as soon as possible so that those classes can also be rescheduled at no cost to you.
Virtual Learning
Students attending Fusion Academy campuses may engage in virtual learning for a number of reasons. Approval of student and family requests for virtual learning is at the discretion of campus administrative team unless enrolled at Fusion Global Academy. Your Fusion Academy campus may utilize virtual teachers from other Fusion campuses as substitutes or to teach courses that cannot currently be offered with an on-campus instructor. Additionally, your campus may switch to virtual learning in case of emergency.
Students participating in virtual sessions should have a working computer with their microphone and camera turned on, have a working internet connection, and be in a space conducive to learning.
Please minimize distractions during class sessions, including but not limited to parent and sibling presence in the class session, television, or video games. As with our on-campus classes, any virtual sessions are meant to take place with only the teacher and student(s) to preserve the integrity of the learning process. Anyone outside of Fusion Staff should not participate in class sessions, except if special permission has been granted by the Head of School or Campus Director. Information on the sessions can be reviewed in daily charting, and parents are always welcome to reach out to the campus and discuss the course.
School Supplies and Electronics
Fusion provides digital textbooks and online resources that require the student to have access to a computer. Students are able to use Fusionprovided computers in the Homework Café. Students may choose to bring their own device, but should note that for security purposes, any personal property that is brought onto Fusion’s premises (computers, backpacks, cell phones, etc.), is solely at their own risk. Students should not need to take campus materials home, but administrators may approve requests to take school supplies home on a case-by-case basis. If school property is lost or damaged, the family will be financially responsible for the damaged or lost item.
Electronics are required for academic use and are permitted for leisure use when appropriate. Students who abuse this privilege, or become overly distracted by electronics, may be asked to check-in all electronic devices until they can demonstrate that all of their schoolwork is complete.
Transcripts
Receiving official (sealed) transcripts from all of your student’s previous schools is critical. A Fusion registrar will work with your campus’ Director of Student Services (DSS) to interpret prior transcripts and to provide you with a list of required and recommended courses for your student to graduate from Fusion. Parents must give Fusion written permission through a Records Request form to acquire original transcripts from the student’s previous school(s).
You may request your student’s transcript through Parchment. Instructions on how to create an account and request a transcript can be found on our website: fusionacademy.com/student-services/
Note: it takes a minimum of two weeks to create a transcript with final grades after a course is completed. Mastery Learning Sessions or additional projects could also delay a teacher from being able to assign a grade to a course. Please keep these factors in mind as you request and plan for receiving any Fusion Academy transcripts.
Additionally, Fusion transcripts do not include coursework completed outside of Fusion (*State Requirement Exceptions MD, GA). If your child is transferring to a different school or applying to college, it is your responsibility to request official transcripts from the prior school(s) to be sent to the student’s future school.
For any questions regarding transcript requests and/or Parchment, please reach out to Fusion’s Student Services Team: registrar@ fusionacademy.com.
Student Social Life
We offer many social opportunities outside of the cone-to-one classroom for our students to connect with peers. On-campus
programming includes time in the Homework Café, lunch hour, student meetings, events, clubs, field trips, and community service opportunities through our Community Action Program, etc. Our Global Community offers similar programming, primarily occurring virtually, bringing together students from all of our campuses. Reach out to an administrator on campus to learn more.
Community Action Program
The Community Action Program is a campus-wide program that encourages students to be engaged community citizens. Through the lens of our school-wide learner outcomes, our students raise their awareness and compassion around community challenges, and become part of civic solutions (locally, regionally, & worldwide). This program is designed to be student-led for students to get the most out of their experiences. We believe student civic engagement is a crucial part of our mission to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Therefore, students are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one Community Action Program event annually.
Parent Involvement
We welcome parent involvement in our Fusion Community! Parents may participate in campus events, such as Fall Orientations, Back to School Night, Parent and Community Education Nights, and other celebrations. Our Parent Ambassador Group (PAG) is another great way for parents to become involved—PAG assists with campus events such as teacher appreciation week, networks with parents interested in Fusion, and helps build community awareness. Connect with an administrator to learn more about these opportunities.
Parent Communication
Parents will receive regular communication from teachers and administrators regarding their child’s progress, which may include class summaries, monthly progress reports, and updates of student’s Individual Reassessment of Commitment (IROC) goals.
Periodic pulse surveys and an annual spring survey will be sent to parents via email. Surveys sent via email will come from FEGSurveys (info@fegsurveys.com). Please mark this as a safe sender or check your
spam/junk folders. Please be sure the email address we have for you is upto-date. We appreciate your timely survey response so your feedback is included in our data.
Parents are always welcome to reach out to teachers/administrators with questions.
Property Management Rules
Because our school is located within a larger building complex that includes other tenants, we must abide not only by our School Rules but also by the rules of the building’s management. These may include rules such as—no skateboarding, bike riding, loitering, smoking, etc. on the property. Fusion students should maintain a high level of respect for all tenants and visitors of the property.
Food
Fusion does not provide food. Students may bring their lunch to school, or purchase lunch at any nearby restaurant (if the student has offcampus privileges).
Medication
Please discuss any medication (non-prescription and/or prescription) requirements with an administrator. Fusion follows state-specific medical requirements for schools.
Dress Code
Students should be dressed respectfully for school. They may not wear clothing that is too revealing, depicts drug paraphernalia, violence, profanity, sexually explicit messages or is degrading to another student. Students who are not dressed appropriately, as determined by Fusion’s staff, will be spoken to by an administrator or teacher and may be asked to change their clothing or leave campus.
Safety
Student safety is a top priority at Fusion. Fusion is an open campus, and as part of the Enrollment Contract, you may decide whether or not your student has off-campus privileges.
We have a crisis management plan in place and we conduct periodic drills on campus to prepare ourselves in the event of an emergency. If you have any questions about safety, please contact an administrator.
Off-Campus Privileges
Your Enrollment Contract has a section entitled “Permission to Leave Campus”, where the parent has specified if a student does or does not have permission to leave campus prior to the end of their regularly scheduled school day. It is the student’s responsibility to know what their status is, at all times. If students are unsure, they must check with the school administrator. Students with Off-Campus Privileges must abide by the campus sign-in and sign-out procedures, and Fusion is not responsible for students while they are off-campus.
Student Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy
Fusion provides a variety of technology resources to support our instructional and administrative programs. Students and staff may also, in certain circumstances, use their own personal information and communication technologies for educational purposes. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all members of the school community to use technology responsibly, ethically, and respectfully. By signing the student handbook, you are also agreeing to the strategies and guidelines outlined in the Student Network and Internet Acceptable Use And Safety Policy Agreement which can be found here: FusionAcademy.com/StudentUsePolicy
Visitor Policy
In a continuing effort to provide for the safety of our students, Fusion Academy has a visitor policy that requires all visitors to:
• Check-in at the front desk. This includes leaving their name, phone number, and reason for the visit.
• Wait in the front desk area until they are welcomed by a Fusion employee.
• Always be accompanied by a Fusion employee. This includes when a visitor is walking to and from different areas of the campus.
• Check out at the front desk when leaving campus.
At no time is a parent or visitor allowed to enter campus and go directly to their child’s classroom or any other area of the building.
Fusion Academy House Rules
Fusion takes an individualized approach to teaching, and we also take an individualized approach to supporting appropriate behavior. Our House Rules are intentionally written in broad and supportive language to encourage the best in our community. When violations occur, each situation is evaluated individually by the school administration, who will determine the appropriate course of action.
Fusion Academy Students Will Be:
• Respectful toward staff and other students, regardless of differences in age, gender or gender orientation, disability, religion, sexual orientation, race, personal beliefs, and/or opinions.
• Compassionate toward others at all times.
• Willing to engage in open and honest communication.
• Willing to be active participants in their own lives.
Fusion Academy Students Will Not:
• Bring, buy, sell, trade, possess, or use drugs and/or alcohol while on campus. Vaping and smoking (as well as the tools or products used to vape or smoke) are also not permitted.
• Come to school under the influence of alcohol or any unprescribed drug.
• Put themselves and/or others in the way of physical or emotional harm.
• Possess, use, or distribute a weapon of any kind within 1000 feet of a Fusion campus, or transport to or possess during any schoolsponsored event(s).
• Organize, promote, or engage in the activity of hazing or bullying in-person, cyber, or otherwise.
• Communicate willful and malicious false information to public safety departments.
• Willfully withhold knowledge of the above listed information from any school staff member.
School staff may search a student and/or the student’s property when there is reason to believe that the search will uncover evidence that the student is violating the law or Fusion rules. Given this, students should not bring personal items to campus that they are willing to have a teacher or administrator see. All searches will be conducted with an adult witness present, and will be as unobtrusive as possible. In the event a search occurs, parents and guardians will be made aware of the reason and the findings.
The safety of our school community is foremost for Fusion Academy. Fusion believes in second chances and the power of positive learning and growth, and we are not a zero-tolerance school. However, as we support our students and families, there may be situations where we determine that a student’s continued enrollment is not in the best interest of the student’s individual safety or the safety of the school community. As such, Fusion reserves the right to make important and difficult decisions regarding a student’s continued enrollment.
Bullying, Cyberbullying, Hazing, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Boundary Violations
Fusion is committed to providing a safe, positive, and productive learning and working environment. These policies are applicable to:
• all staff, educators, and administrators (collectively “employees’), students, parents/guardians, and visitors working at or attending a Fusion school or facility
• conduct that takes place at schools, on school properties, and school sponsored events and activities
• to the usage of electronic technology or communication that is used to bully, harass, or violate a Fusion policy.
Fusion is committed to providing equal educational opportunity in its programs and activities, without discrimination based on religion, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, socio-economic status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, immigration status, or other distinguishing characteristics, or association with a person or group with any of these actual or perceived characteristics.
Fusion also prohibits all forms of harassment and bullying by students, employees, and other members of the Fusion community based on any of these characteristics.
Examples of prohibited conduct include, but are not limited to:
• Bullying (see more below)
• Hazing
• Name-calling, epithets, slurs
• Derogatory jokes or comments (verbal or written)
• Negative stereotyping or threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts
• Interfering with, damaging, or destroying property
• Written or graphic material that insults or shows hostility, intolerance, or aversion toward an individual or group because of a protected characteristic
• Physical conduct including gestures, assault, unwanted touching/ grabbing/ pinching/brushing against/poking, intentionally blocking normal movement
• Communication via electronic media of any type that includes any conduct that is prohibited by state and/or federal law, or by Fusion policy
• Unwanted invitations or sexual advances, innuendo, or misconduct (see more below)
• Retaliation for reporting or threatening to report harassment or bullying
Bullying
Fusion takes measures to prevent all forms of bullying within each campus and during off-site activities, and will address any related instances immediately. Fusion also supports employees and students in actions to identify and protect those who might be bullied.
Bullying is described as an unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior may be repeated, or
has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying can occur before and after school hours, in a school building or at off-site locations, and it can be verbal, physical, written or electronic communication.
In addition to the prohibited conduct outlined above, examples of bullying also include, but are not limited to:
• Verbal: Teasing, inappropriate sexual comments, taunting, and threatening to cause harm.
• Social: Spreading rumors about someone, excluding others on purpose, telling other students not to be friends with someone, and embarrassing someone in public.
• Physical: Shoving, kicking, spitting, tripping, pushing, and taking or breaking someone’s things.
Students who bully are in violation of this policy and are subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Fusion will take prompt and appropriate action and will not permit retaliation for any good-faith complaints.
Additional details can be found in Fusion’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the use of electronic information and communication devices to harm a person willfully and repeatedly. Cyberbullying includes but is not limited to harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful e-mail messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures/images, or web postings. Bullying of this kind creates an unacceptable, toxic, and hostile environment on campus and is in violation of a student’s right to be safe and secure. If cyberbullying occurs on or off school grounds and causes or threatens to cause a substantial disruption at school or interferes with a student’s right to be secure, Fusion will investigate and take appropriate actions.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
• Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term, condition or basis of an individual’s employment,
academic status, or progress.
• The conduct has the purpose or effect of negatively impacting the individual’s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
• Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct is used as the basis for any decision affecting the individual regarding benefits and services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through school.
Examples of Sexual Harassment include, but are not limited to:
• Unwelcome sexual flirtations or propositions
• Sexual slurs, leering, epithets, threats, verbal abuse, derogatory comments, or sexually degrading descriptions
• Graphic verbal comments about an individual’s body, or overly personal conversation
• Sexual jokes, notes, stories, drawings, pictures, gestures, or social media postings
• Spreading sexual rumors
• Touching an individual’s body or clothes in a sexual way
Students found to be in violation of this policy and are subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Fusion will take prompt and appropriate action in response and will not permit retaliation for any good-faith complaints.
Sexual Misconduct
Sexual misconduct between employees and students is improper and, in some cases, illegal. “Sexual misconduct” means any act including, but not limited to any verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication or physical activity, by an employee or agent of Fusion with direct contact with a student that is directed toward or with a student to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the student. Such an act includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
• A sexual or romantic invitation
• Dating or soliciting a date
• Engaging in sexualized or romantic dialogue
• Making sexually suggestive comments that are directed toward or with a student
• Self-disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual, romantic, or erotic nature
• A sexual, indecent, romantic, or erotic contact with the student.
• Acting in any way that could be construed as ‘grooming’ a student, a guardian, or another person believed to be that student’s guardian. This includes in-person acts, and/or any conduct through a third party, and written communication in which a person commits any sex offense as applicable to the Sex Offender Registration Act and/or local or state Criminal Code.
Fusion takes reports of sexual misconduct seriously. Investigations and consequences shall be in accordance with Fusion’s Employee Handbook and company policies.
Appropriate Student and Employee Boundaries
Additional policies have been put in place to provide a safe learning environment and promote healthy relationships between students and staff:
• School employees and currently enrolled students should not communicate on any personal social media sites except in the following situations: (a) communication with your own relative; or (b) if an emergency requires such communication.
• Personal contact information should not be shared between school employees and students unless checked with and agreed to by the Head of School and the student’s parents.
• School employees should not transport students in their own vehicles, especially one-to-one, without the consent of the student, parent, and Head of School. When employees drive students to or from an activity, such driving must be approved by the Head of School, and appropriate insurance and driver’s license must be validated.
• School employees should always try to defuse situations without physical intervention. They may intervene to prevent a student from injuring themselves or others. Employees may use only reasonable force that is warranted by the circumstances of the incident, and that is in proportion to the seriousness of the behavior or the consequences it is intended to prevent. However, Fusion employees are never expected to intervene in any circumstance where they may put themselves in a position of physical harm. In the event that a situation arises where students may be perceived to injure
themselves or others, the employee must immediately contact the campus administration and in some cases the local emergency response agencies may be notified.
• No Fusion employee shall take or post a photo or video of any student, for personal possession at any time. All photos and videos must have parental, guardian or self (if 18 years or older) permission as outlined in the enrollment contract and may only be used for Fusion promotional purposes.
• Employees should not behave in a manner that would lead any reasonable person to question their suitability to work with children or to act as a role model.
• School employees must complete training on appropriate student boundaries on an annual basis.
• Any employee, classified by applicable state law, which comes in direct contact with a student must report any suspected child abuse to the proper authorities. Those employees are Mandated Reporters for child abuse and must complete state-specific training upon hire that is reviewed at the interval determined by their state. A mandated report must be made within 24 hours if the following is observed:
• A minor who has physical injury or injuries which appear to have been inflicted upon him/her by other than accidental means, by any person.
• A minor that has been the victim of sexual misconduct, sexually molested, or that any unjustifiable pain or mental suffering has been inflicted upon the minor.
If any Fusion employee observes or becomes aware of what appears to be child abuse (including neglect) that person must contact the appropriate member of the School Operations team immediately.
Complaint Procedure
Students, families, or employees who observe or experience possible bullying, cyberbullying, sexual misconduct, harassment, boundary violations, discrimination, or retaliation are asked to report their concerns as soon as possible.
When reporting an incident, reporters are encouraged to provide as much information as possible, including but not limited to:
• The topic
• Date, time, and location of the incident
• Detailed description of the incident, including involved parties
• Any witnesses to the incident
• Supporting evidence (photos, videos, documents, etc., if applicable)
• Reporting contact information (Optional, though please note that anonymous reports may limit our ability to fully investigate and address certain incidents.)
Reporting Process:
• Step 1: Make a report to a member of the campus administrative team via phone, email, by scheduling an in-person meeting, through the bullying report form, or through the tip report form.
• All students have access to Safe2SpeakUp, where they can report bullying or other concerns as well as communicate about concerns anonymously with campus administration. Students may download the Safe2SpeakUp app on their phone and log in using their Fusion email address.
• Step 2: If the problem cannot be resolved with your campus administrative team, or if it involves a campus administrator, then report to the District Vice President of Operations and/or Regional Vice President of Operations for your campus. If you need help determining who that person is or finding their contact information, you may contact our Homebase office at 616-301-1221.
• Step 3: If the problem remains unresolved or you feel uncomfortable raising it with the level of management in Step 2, you may contact management at any level in the organization.
While we encourage students, families, and employees to provide as much information as possible, we respect their choice to remain anonymous if they wish to do so. We understand that reporting these incidents can be sensitive. Fusion will maintain the confidentiality of students and witnesses reporting alleged incidents of bullying to the extent possible given the school’s obligation to investigate and respond
appropriately to the matter. Appropriate disciplinary action may be taken if a complaint is determined to be false.
Investigation and Response to Incidents
Once a report has been submitted or discussed with a school administrator, the school will conduct an investigation into the alleged incident. This investigation will:
• Aim to gather all relevant information
• Interview the parties involved
• Take appropriate action to address the incident
Campus administrators (or District/Homebase Team members as appropriate) will be responsible for investigating and responding to incidents.
Parents or guardians will be kept informed of the progress and outcome of the investigation as appropriate so long as doing so will not endanger the health, safety, or well-being of any student. We encourage ongoing communication to ensure the issue is resolved to the satisfaction of all parties involved.
Fusion will be obligated to notify others of these incidents in the following situations:
• Notice to Parents or Guardians: Upon determining that bullying or retaliation has occurred, parents or guardians of both the targeted student and the aggressor will be notified of the incident and the procedures for responding to it. In some circumstances, parents or guardians may be contacted prior to an investigation. Private educational or personal data regarding the involved parties will not be disclosed. In certain circumstances, disclosure of the basis for which a student is bullied may result in additional negative consequences to the student’s health and wellbeing. So prior to notification of any parent or guardian regarding any incident of bullying or harassment, campus administrators must consider the issue of notification as they would any other educationally relevant decision, taking into account the health, wellbeing, and safety of any involved students.
• Notice to Another School or District: If the reported incident involves students from more than one school, the other school or district will be notified by phone so that each school may take appropriate
action. Communication will be in line with applicable state and federal privacy laws and regulations.
• Notice to Law Enforcement: At any point after receiving a report of bullying, harassment, or retaliation, including after an investigation, Fusion will notify law enforcement if there is reasonable basis to do so based on local, state, or federal regulations.
Appropriate interventions or disciplinary actions will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. For students, these may include (but are not limited to):
• Mediating the situation based on the comfort level of all impacted parties.
• Working with families and other professionals (i.e., therapists) to intervene, or requiring external support services to maintain enrollment.
• Temporary restriction of technology use.
• Temporary removal of off-campus privileges.
• Implementation of a Behavior Plan.
• Changing the student’s schedule or removing access to the Homework Café to protect the sense of safety in the school community.
• Suspension or move to virtual learning for a period of time.
• Being asked to leave Fusion.
Employees found to be at fault for bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, boundary violations, or retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include counseling, training, suspension, or termination, depending on the severity of the violation.
Appendix A - Illinois
Faith’s Law
The Prohibited Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Appropriate Student and Employee Boundaries, and Notification of Violation outlined in this Handbook comply with Faith’s Law in the state of Illinois. Additionally, pursuant to Faith’s Law and Public Act 102-0676, 105 ILCS 5/2-3, 188, Illinois Residents may reference the Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Resource Guide.
Illinois Educator Code of Ethics
In addition to Fusion’s policies outlined throughout this Handbook, all employees of Fusion campuses located in Illinois must review and adhere to the Illinois Educator Code of Ethics. The Illinois Educators’ Code of Ethics is a set of core principles, values, and responsibilities that sets expectations to guide practice and inspire professional excellence in relation to federal, state, and local policies, rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements. Illinois educators encourage the application of these core principles throughout the education community. The Illinois Educator Code of Ethics contains five core principles which provide a foundation for the responsibilities and commitments of Illinois Educators.
1. Responsibility to Students
2. Responsibility to Self
3. Responsibility to Colleagues and the Profession
4. Responsibility to Parents, Families, and communities
5. Responsibility to the Illinois State Board of Education
Appendix B – Massachusetts
Fusion Academy’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan is created to comply with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department)’s requirements under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37O.
If a student or parent witnesses, or is subjected to, bullying prohibited by this policy, please contact an administrator immediately or report via our anonymous tip reporting system.
Any parent wishing to file a bullying claim/concern or seeking assistance outside of the school may do so with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education program Resolution System (PRS). That information can be found at: https://www.doe.mas.edu/prs/, emails can be sent to compliance@doe.mass.edu, or individuals can call 781.338.3700.
Fusion’s Annual Student, Parent, and Employee surveys will include questions that assess the school climate and the prevalence, nature, and severity of bullying in our schools. Additionally, Fusion will annually report bullying incident data to the Department.
Students and families in Massachusetts must also review the Hazing Act, Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 269, Sections 17 through 19 below. Signature of this handbook indicates acknowledgement that you have received this information and will comply with the provisions of the Hazing Act.
Hazing Act, Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 269, Sections 17 through 19
Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
The term ‘’hazing’’ as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.
Section 18. Whoever knows that another person is the victim of hazing as defined in section seventeen and is at the scene of such crime shall, to the extent that such person can do so without danger or peril to himself or others, report such crime to an appropriate law enforcement official as soon as reasonably practicable. Whoever fails to report such crime shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.
Section 19. Each institution of secondary education and each public and private institution of post secondary education shall issue to every student group, student team or student organization which is part of such institution or is recognized by the institution or permitted by the institution to use its name or facilities or is known by the institution to exist as an unaffiliated student group, student team or student organization, a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen; provided, however, that an institution’s compliance with this section’s requirements that an institution issue copies of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations shall not constitute evidence of the institution’s recognition or endorsement of said unaffiliated student groups, teams or organizations.
Each such group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of
this section and sections seventeen and eighteen to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officer, to deliver annually, to the institution an attested acknowledgement stating that such group, team or organization has received a copy of this section and said sections seventeen and eighteen, that each of its members, plebes, pledges, or applicants has received a copy of sections seventeen and eighteen, and that such group, team or organization understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.
Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall, at least annually, before or at the start of enrollment, deliver to each person who enrolls as a full time student in such institution a copy of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen.
Each institution of secondary education and each public or private institution of post secondary education shall file, at least annually, a report with the board of higher education and in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education, certifying that such institution has complied with its responsibility to inform student groups, teams or organizations and to notify each full time student enrolled by it of the provisions of this section and sections seventeen and eighteen and also certifying that said institution has adopted a disciplinary policy with regard to the organizers and participants of hazing, and that such policy has been set forth with appropriate emphasis in the student handbook or similar means of communicating the institution’s policies to its students. The board of higher education and, in the case of secondary institutions, the board of education shall promulgate regulations governing the content and frequency of such reports, and shall forthwith report to the attorney general any such institution which fails to make such report.
Appendix C – Tennessee
All Tennessee children are required to attend school beginning at age six until their eighteenth birthday. This requirement does not apply to a child who:
• Has successfully completed high school and holds a high school diploma.
• Has obtained a general educational development certificate (GED or HiSET®), or who is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a course leading to a GED or HiSET® from a state-approved institution or organization.
• Or otherwise falls under additional criteria described in Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3005.
• Parents and guardians are responsible for monitoring their students’ attendance and requiring them to attend school. Any student who accumulates five (5) days of unexcused will be subject to progressive truancy interventions. Continued absences may result in a referral to juvenile court. The five (5) days of unexcused absences need not be consecutive.
The Tennessee Department of Health Rules and T.C.A. § 49-6-5001 require that each child enrolled in school be vaccinated against disease, subject to any applicable exemptions set forth in State law or Department of Health Rules. Fusion is required to share student records with state health or education departments if requested.
Your Notes
Parent and Student Handbook Acknowledgment
The contents of the Parent and Student handbook are posted on Fusion’s Parent Portal and for informational purposes only. At any time, the Head of School and/or Fusion Academy reserves the right to amend or adjust these guidelines as needed. Any questions or concerns regarding these guidelines should be directed to the Head of School and or a designated administrator of Fusion Academy. Please complete this page, detach it from the Handbook, and return it to a member of the campus administrative team.
Student Agreement
I have read and understand the rules, policies, and procedures outlined in this Fusion Academy Handbook, and agree to abide by them.
Student Name ____________________________ (please print)
Signature _________________________________________________
Date ____________________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian Agreement
I have read and understand the rules, policies, and procedures outlined in this Fusion Academy Handbook, and agree to abide by them.
Parent/Guardian Name _____________________________________ (please print)
Signature _________________________________________________
Date ________________________________